Best Restaurant Scheduling Software: Save Time, Cut Costs, Keep Staff Happy

When you opened your restaurant, we’re betting “stressful shift coordination” wasn’t on the menu. But here you are—late nights, last-minute texts, and that one server who always forgets their schedule. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. 

In the fast-moving world of hospitality, juggling staff availability, labor costs, and customer satisfaction is a full-time job. That’s where restaurant scheduling software comes in.

The right tool doesn’t just build a schedule, it helps you cut down on no-shows, reduce burnout, and keep your team (and your customers) happy. 

We’ve rounded up the best employee scheduling software for restaurants in 2025 so you can spend less time playing calendar Tetris and more time running the kind of business people rave about.

TL;DR: Best restaurant scheduling software in 2025

Short on time and just need the best restaurant scheduling software now? Here’s your cheat sheet:

Top picks based on what matters to you:

• Homebase: Homebase is your all-in-one sidekick for small restaurants, helping you track time, manage shifts, message your team, and stay on top of compliance—all for free if you’ve got 20 employees or fewer.
• Sling: Great for lean teams that need simple scheduling and solid internal communication.
• ZoomShift: Best budget pick for basic shift scheduling and availability tracking.
• BambooHR: Ideal for restaurants prioritizing HR tools over restaurant-specific scheduling features.
• 7shifts: Built specifically for restaurants with a focus on labor cost control and staff engagement.
• Deputy: Great for managing complex shift patterns across locations or roles.
• When I Work: Best for mobile-first teams that rely on real-time updates and flexible shift management.

Must-have features to look for:

• Mobile access and shift notifications to keep everyone in sync
• Shift trading and availability tracking (without the group chat chaos)
• POS integration and labor cost forecasting to protect your margins
• Compliance alerts and reporting to stay on the right side of the law
• Easy-to-use dashboards that don’t require a training manual

Bonus: Most of these tools offer free plans or trials so you can test before you commit.

What is restaurant scheduling software?

Restaurant scheduling software helps owners and managers build and manage employee schedules, track availability, and reduce labor costs—all from one platform. The best tools go beyond just scheduling, offering mobile apps, time tracking, shift swapping, and labor compliance support.

If you're still relying on spreadsheets or text threads to build your schedule, these platforms are designed to save you hours each week and help your team stay in sync.

7 best restaurant scheduling software tools in 2025

From shift swaps to payroll integration, the right restaurant scheduling software saves you time and keeps your team running smoothly. Below, we break down the top platforms for small restaurant teams—what they offer, what they cost, and who they’re best for.

1. Homebase: Best all-in-one restaurant scheduling software for hourly teams

Homebase is an all-in-one team management platform designed specifically for hourly teams. It lets restaurant owners handle everything from scheduling and time tracking to payroll, HR, and team communication—all in one place.

Pros:

• Free restaurant scheduling software plan available for up to 20 employees
• Paid plans include unlimited employees
• Includes scheduling, time tracking, and messaging
• Lets employees clock in/out and swap shifts via mobile app
• Offers built-in labor compliance alerts and reporting
• Add payroll to automate timesheets and paydays

Cons:

• Payroll and HR features require a paid plan
• Pricing is per location, which may add up for multi-site operators

Pricing:

• Basic Plan: Free
• Essentials: $24.95/month/location
• Plus: $59.95/month/location
• All-in-One: $99.95/month/location
• Payroll add-on: $39/month + $6 per active employee

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2. Sling: Best for lean teams who prioritize communication

Sling is a great option if you’re looking for free employee scheduling software for restaurants that also includes built-in messaging. If your biggest pain points are last-minute shift changes, missed messages, and trying to keep everyone on the same page, Sling offers simple tools to streamline it all.

Pros

• Intuitive drag-and-drop schedule builder
• Built-in team messaging and announcements
• Offers labor cost tracking and budgeting tools
• Supports shift swapping and availability management

Cons

• Reporting and time clock tools are limited unless you upgrade
• Lacks some deeper restaurant-specific features like POS integrations
• Limited onboarding and HR tools

Pricing

• Free plan: Includes basic scheduling and team messaging
• Premium: $2.00/user/month — adds time tracking and labor cost features
• Business: $4.00/user/month — includes PTO tracking, reports, and shift approval workflows

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3. ZoomShift: Best for simple shift scheduling at a low cost

ZoomShift is a restaurant employee scheduling app ideal for owners who want a no-frills scheduling tool that gets the job done. It’s designed for hourly teams and keeps the focus on core scheduling, availability, and time tracking—without adding unnecessary bells and whistles.

Pros

• Straightforward, beginner-friendly interface
• Easy drag-and-drop schedule builder
• Time clock with geolocation and punch restrictions
• Employee availability and shift swap support

Cons

• No built-in messaging or internal communication tools
• No hiring, onboarding, or payroll functionality
• Lacks integrations with restaurant-specific POS systems

Pricing

• Starter: $2.00/active team member/month
  Premium: $4.00/active team member/month — adds reporting and PTO tracking
• Enterprise: Custom pricing for larger teams with advanced needs

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4. BambooHR: Best for restaurants that prioritize HR and onboarding over scheduling

BambooHR is a full-service HR platform that happens to include basic scheduling functionality. While it’s not purpose-built for restaurant operations, it shines for teams that want robust tools for hiring, onboarding, performance tracking, and employee data management.

Pros

• Comprehensive HR features including applicant tracking and onboarding
• Mobile app for employees to view schedules and request time off
• Customizable workflows and performance reviews
• Great for salaried or multi-role staff

Cons

• Scheduling tools are limited and not restaurant-specific
• No built-in time tracking or payroll in the base plan
• Pricing isn’t transparent; may be cost-prohibitive for smaller restaurants

Pricing

• No public pricing available — quotes are custom
• Review sites report pricing starts around $6.00–$8.00/employee/month
• Add-ons like time tracking, payroll, and performance require extra fees

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5. 7shifts: Best for restaurants focused on labor cost control and team engagement

7shifts is a restaurant labor management software that helps managers forecast labor costs, stay compliant, and monitor team performance. It’s especially strong for multi-location businesses that want better oversight.

Pros

• Designed specifically for restaurant scheduling and compliance
• Visual labor forecasting tools and real-time sales integrations
• Shift feedback and team engagement tools built-in
• Great reporting dashboard for labor costs and scheduling trends

Cons

• Free plan limited to one location and one admin
• Advanced features like labor forecasting and integrations require higher-tier plans
• No payroll features — requires integration with third-party platforms

Pricing

• Free plan for one location and up to 30 employees
• Paid plans range from $34.99/month/location to $150.00/month/location

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6. Deputy: Best for restaurants managing complex shifts across multiple roles or locations

Deputy excels at helping restaurants with layered scheduling needs—think split shifts, multi-location teams, or businesses juggling both front- and back-of-house staff. Its smart scheduling engine and compliance features make it a favorite for larger, more complex restaurant operations.

Pros

• Smart scheduling based on employee availability, labor laws, and demand
• Built-in time tracking and meal/break compliance alerts
• Easy shift swapping and mobile access for teams
• Forecasting tools to align labor with expected sales

Cons

• Interface can feel overwhelming for smaller teams
• No built-in payroll—requires integration with other systems
• Advanced features are locked behind higher-tier plans

Pricing

• Scheduling plan starts at $4.50/user/month
• Premium plan (includes scheduling + time tracking) starts at $6.00/user/month
• Enterprise pricing available for larger operations

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7. When I Work: Best for restaurants prioritizing mobile-first team communication and shift coordination

When I Work is built for fast-paced environments where staff are constantly on the go. It's an intuitive mobile scheduling app for restaurants that’s perfect for teams that rely on real-time updates, chat features, and flexible shift management—making it a solid choice for modern, tech-savvy crews.

Pros

• User-friendly mobile app for scheduling, messaging, and shift changes
• Easy team communication with built-in chat
• Shift bidding and self-service availability features
• Works well for hourly shift workers with rotating schedules

Cons

• Reporting features aren’t as robust as other platforms
• Limited customization options for larger operations
• Some useful tools (like time tracking) cost extra

Pricing

• Single location scheduling starts at $3.00/user/month
• Advanced plans for multiple locations and schedules available starting at $5.00/user/month
• Free 14-day trial available

What to look for in restaurant scheduling software

No two restaurants run the same way, which means your scheduling software should flex to fit your unique team, pace, and service style. The best tools make life easier, not more complicated—and ideally, they cover more than just the schedule itself.

Here’s what to look for when choosing the right scheduling platform for your restaurant:

POS integration

Look for scheduling software that connects with your point-of-sale system (POS). This helps you match staffing to actual sales trends, monitor productivity, and control labor costs without the guesswork.

Homebase integrates with many leading POS systems to automatically sync hours and sales data.

Schedule creation

Choose a platform that lets you build and distribute schedules digitally—bonus points for templates, auto-scheduling features, and drag-and-drop functionality.

With Homebase, you can even build schedules around labor targets and forecasted sales.

Shift trades

Life happens. The best tools allow employees to trade shifts easily, without endless group texts. Make sure the system keeps you in the loop with manager approvals when needed.

Task management

Need to assign side work, prep lists, or closing duties? Some scheduling apps include task management features to ensure the shift runs smoothly from open to close.

Clock-in, clock-out

Digital time tracking is a must. Look for a mobile time clock that’s secure, easy to use, and integrates directly with your payroll or timesheet tools.

Homebase turns time clocks into payroll-ready timesheets in just a few clicks.

Onboarding

If your scheduling software also helps with onboarding new hires, that’s a win. Look for systems that let you set up new employees quickly with digital paperwork and welcome info.

Homebase includes built-in hiring and onboarding tools, so employees you hire can start their new role on the same platform.

Messaging and notifications

Shift reminders. Coverage requests. "Hey, can you come in early?" messages. Good scheduling software should include built-in communication to keep everyone connected and reduce no-shows.

Ease of use

Let’s keep it simple. Your scheduling tool should be intuitive enough that your team actually uses it and doesn’t constantly ask you how.

Mobile access

Staff should be able to check their schedules, update availability, and trade shifts from their phones. If it’s not mobile-friendly, it’s not restaurant-friendly.

Reporting

Smart scheduling isn’t just about who works when, it’s about trends. Look for tools that offer labor cost tracking, overtime alerts, and other insights to help you make data-driven decisions.

Shift trades with approval

Your team should be able to swap shifts themselves but you should always have the final say. Look for scheduling tools that make approvals easy to manage.

Employee availability

Avoid last-minute conflicts by using software that lets employees input and update their availability directly in the app.

Homebase does this beautifully—and even alerts you when you’re about to schedule someone who isn’t available.

Simplify restaurant scheduling with Homebase

The right scheduling software doesn’t just fill your shifts, it frees up your time, boosts team morale, and keeps your dining room running like a well-oiled machine.

Here’s what you get with Homebase:

• Managers save 5+ hours per week—time better spent training staff, jumping on the line, or stepping out for an actual break.
  
  
• Employees show up and stick around when they have predictable schedules, easy shift swaps, and clear communication.
  
  
• Customers get consistently great service from a team that’s fully staffed, informed, and ready to roll.
  
  
• Your restaurant stays profitable with smarter labor cost controls, fewer no-shows, and better coverage during peak hours.
  
  

"Homebase helps us ran a much smoother operation amongst our always changing and growing market & restaurant - with key elements of scheduling, time cards, internal messaging, and documenting cash tips. It makes these critical pieces of the operation much easier to keep organized and current." —Restaurant owner and happy Homebase customer

And remember, Homebase isn’t just for scheduling. We help restaurant owners hire, onboard, track hours, run payroll, and stay compliant—all from one intuitive platform.

Try Homebase free today and see why 100,000+ businesses rely on us to keep their operations smooth, their staff happy, and their schedules stress-free.

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